Second Chance Bride (A Sapphire Bay Novella) (4 page)

“Genie!” Cami yelped from the phone. “Who sent the roses?”

“Donnie,” Genie said softly.

“I knew it!” Cami squealed. “What does he say? He wants to see you again, doesn’t he?”

“Yes.” Genie nodded. “He wants me to have dinner with him tonight.”

“You’re going, right?”

“I don’t know.” Genie shook her head. “Nothing good can come from it.”

“Sure it can,” Cami said. “It can help you get past Ross so you can move on to find your perfect match.”

“How will I know when I’ve met this so-called perfect match…if I ever do?” She’d thought that was Ross. And she’d been so wholly and completely wrong on that score. “He could be right under my nose and I wouldn’t even know it.”

“One thing’s for sure.” Cami chuckled. “It’s not the desk clerk at your hotel…no matter how hot he is.”

CHAPTER 4

CAMI’S WORDS,
“
Go. Have dinner with Mr. Hottie, but don’t wear your heart on your sleeve,
” echoed through Genie’s thoughts as she looked across the table at Donnie. Choosing to follow Cami’s advice hadn’t been all that difficult, but now that Genie was here, staying put was another matter.

“When did you leave Texas?” Genie asked. She was trying to keep the conversation neutral, but at the same time she wanted to know more about Donnie.

“Which time?” he said with a hint of laughter.

She paused a minute, then said, “When you came here.”

“About five years ago.” His smile made the silence settling between them bearable. He studied her for a moment and then, as if he knew the thoughts running through her head, he continued. “When I was a kid we came here on vacation. I guess you could say that I got sand in my shoes, because coming back here to live was all I ever thought about.”

His confession swirled around her and filled her with doubt. There was no way she’d ever talk him into coming back to the mainland, even though there were dozens of luxury hotels he could work at back home. Uncertainty swelled inside Genie. Did she want that? Was she prepared to enter into a relationship with a desk clerk or a bell hop?

Oh, who was she kidding? She wasn’t anybody special. Just a home stager. What about that made her so much better than, say, a desk clerk? Nothing. No, no matter how much Cami or Shelly or Jessica scoffed about her decision, she would be proud to call a man like Donnie Taylor her husband.

Yeah, right! You just keep on dreamin’
. Nothing like that was ever going to happen, because Donnie would never agree to return to the mainland—no matter what she said or did.

What Genie had to decide was if she was prepared to go back home without Donnie.

This is crazy!
She snapped at herself.
Who says he’d want me for more than a night or two anyway?
That’s probably what he did with all the tourists. Wined and dined them while they were on vacation, then bid them adieu when it was time for them to leave.

Like Cami had said, Genie had better guard her heart.

D
onnie wasn’t sure what exactly had turned Genie cold, but something had and he didn’t like it. He hadn’t made it a habit to get involved with his guests and he couldn’t decide whether to curse his mother or thank her.

Genie was everything a man could want, and after just two dates, Donnie didn’t want to think about how lonely the rest his life would be without her. But there was a sadness about her. She’d built a wall around herself, and just when he thought he was close to claiming a place in her heart—she shut the door on him.

Oh well, he’d just have to chip at that wall until it fell. “You haven’t said when you’re going home.”

She glanced up at him. “Day after tomorrow.”

Donnie didn’t like the sound of that. “That truly is a shame.”

She laughed. Not a hearty laugh, but one that mocked him. She didn’t believe a word that was coming out of his mouth. She said, “But we’ve always got tonight, right?”

Donnie had a hard time picking his heart up off the floor. Why was she so cynical? If only she’d share her past with him. He wanted to say something, anything to set her mind at ease, but so far, no words of wisdom were climbing over the ego-thrashing she’d just given him.

“I’m sorry. That was mean of me.” She shook her head. “You’ve been nothing but a perfect gentleman, and you don’t deserve that.”

She wasn’t the cold, heartless woman she pretended to be. He could see that in the remorse on her face. Donnie was starting to put stock in his mother’s idea that Genie had been hurt. Badly. And if he had to guess, he’d say recently.

“It’s okay,” he said, and secretly chastised himself for it. He should run for the hills before this girl got the chance to break his heart. Instead, he added, “But I wish you’d tell me why you’re in Hawaii alone.”

I
t couldn’t be put to her any plainer than that. If Genie didn’t tell Donnie about Ross right now, this moment, she’d spoil any chance they might have for a future together.

Like that was ever going to happen. Nevertheless, Donnie had specifically asked to know why she was here alone, so continuing to hide it just didn’t seem right.

She didn’t have to like it. She didn’t want to talk about Ross. She wanted to forget about him. And she would, just as soon as she told Donnie about him.

She cleared her throat and focused on the candlelight on the table between them. “I’m supposed to be in Maui right now. On my honeymoon.”

“Your honeymoon?” His voice had gone shaky.

“Yeah.” She nodded and dared to glance at him.

“How did you wind up here?”

“The wedding was called off.” She hesitated. Donnie was looking more than a little worried. How could she make him understand that Ross was no longer an option? She’d taken him off the table when he left her standing at the altar. Hell would freeze over before she’d open her arms or her heart to Ross Harper again. She dug deep into her gut for some confidence before saying, “let’s just say that we came to a mutual agreement that we weren’t right for each other.” Genie nodded and reached for her water goblet. And now, after meeting Donnie, she could see how that statement was completely accurate. Either that, or Ross’s actions had chased away every ounce of love she’d ever felt for him, because how else could she explain her attraction to Donnie?

“Where is this guy right now?” Donnie asked, apprehension fueling his words.

“Beats the hell out of me,” she said, wishing she’d ordered a Mai Tai or something.

“So he’s not here in Hawaii, lurking around the corner, regretting his mistake?” Donnie reached for the beer he’d ordered and sucked down a healthy swig. He set the bottle down and peered at her intently. “Because, I swear…only a fool would let you go.”

“No…” She shook her head, feeling very confident about her answer, not to mention relieved. “I don’t know where he is, but he’s not here. I cashed in the Maui trip and traded it for a week, in paradise as it turns out.” She felt her cheeks warm and smiled, hoping to hide the blush that was surely tinting her face. She looked at him, seeing the raw desire in his gaze.

“Will you spend the day with me tomorrow?” he asked, undressing her, caressing her, tantalizing her with his eyes.

Genie knew she should say no. She was setting herself up for lasting heartbreak this time. How many Donnies could she run across while she was running away?

But she couldn’t help herself. She nodded. “Yes.”

T
he next morning, they had breakfast together in the Beachcomber Cafe, then Donnie drove her to a secluded beach about fifteen minutes from the resort.

She was glad when he buried an umbrella in the sand. That way, she wouldn’t have to worry about burning if they ended up staying out in the sun too long.

He’d also brought along a basket of fruits, crackers, cheeses, and chilled bottled water, which they’d placed along the edges of a blanket they’d spread out underneath the umbrella.

Seeing Donnie in his swim trunks and shirtless, Genie was trying hard not to stare, but it was impossible. His well-defined body was not something that came naturally. It was something he had to work at—and Genie appreciated his efforts.

Lying together on the blanket, he was on his back while she was on her stomach, propped on her elbows and sharing grapes with him. She popped one in her mouth. “You sure you’re not gonna get into trouble today, missing work and all?”

“Nah…” He shook his head. “I’m off today.”

“Good,” she said, dropping a grape into his mouth.

Genie was determined to enjoy the day and not let tomorrow get her down, because tomorrow he’d be back at work and she’d be heading home.

The thought saddened her. Question was, what was she going to do about it? Was she going to ask him to come back to the mainland with her, or was she going to let him slip through her fingers?

CHAPTER 5

DONNIE WAITED IMPATIENTLY FOR GENIE
in the lobby, where they’d agreed to meet for dinner at the hotel. He’d thought about dining in one of the restaurants, but if he did that, somebody was bound to let the cat out of the bed. And that couldn’t happen before he had the chance to tell her himself. If he didn’t, he got the feeling that Genie would never forgive him.

The elevator doors opened and Genie stepped out, looking absolutely breathtaking in a tight-fitting cream-colored dress with soft-pink flowers. He sized up the length of her, all the way down her long, long legs to her pink high heels.

He stepped toward her, knowing he was wearing a stupid grin—that he couldn’t do anything about. “You look amazing!” He slipped his hand around hers and drew it to his lips to kiss it.

“Likewise.” She nodded as a smiled tipped the corners of her mouth. He wanted to kiss her so badly. She eyed his light blue Hawaiian shirt with waves and surf boards scattered about. “I see we didn’t accidentally dress to match. What do you think that means?”

“Well…” He shrugged. “If it’s any consolation, I wanted to wear my light-colored shirt with pink flowers, but it’s dirty.”

She laughed and reached for his hand. Donnie’s heart soared. “So where are we dining tonight?” She looked at him. “And let’s just get this settled right now, I’ll be picking up the tab for dinner tonight. You have treated me grandly over the last couple of days. I want to return the favor.”

“Well actually, I have something a little more private in mind,” he said, tugging her toward the elevators. “And it’s already taken care of.”

“Where are we going?” she asked with reservation, but still she willingly followed him.

“Listen, how would you like to have dinner on the lanai of one of the penthouses?”

“One of the penthouses?” She looked at him oddly.

“The night manager assures me that one of them is empty.” That much was true. He didn’t dare take her to his penthouse. If she saw his family photos before he told her the truth, it could be disastrous. “I can assure you that my intentions are completely dishonorable.” He chuckled and pulled her to him once the elevator doors closed them inside.

“Are you sure we’re not going to get into trouble? And by
we
, I mean
you
.”

“It’s fine.” Donnie buried his face in her hair and whispered against her ear, “I want tonight to be incredibly memorable.” And it was true, he did. He wanted her to experience the luxuries he could provide, before she found out it would be the norm for them. He wanted to be sure she wanted to be with him and that the rest was merely an enjoyable perk.

“Oh, I don’t think you’re gonna have to worry about that.” She giggled and then kissed him, long and hard and deep.

The elevator doors parted at a penthouse that mirrored the one Donnie lived in on the floor above. Marla lived across the hall from this one, and Sammy (who worked the nightshift) assured Donnie that she wouldn’t find out they were there. Donnie didn’t know for sure what might happened this evening, but whatever it was, he didn’t want his mother barging in.

The lights had been turned low. Soft music played in the background. It seemed more romantic that way. He guided her toward the lanai, where candlelight lit the table housing their dinner in covered dishes. A bottle of champagne was chilling on ice at one corner of the table.

Genie had mentioned that she loved a good steak, and Donnie had brought in the best the island had to offer, but all she did was pick at it.

After several minutes of silence, he asked, “Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” She nodded and glanced up at him. “I’m gonna miss you,” she added with a lonely smile.

Donnie pushed himself up from the table and went to her side, offering his hand. “Will you dance with me?”

G
enie gazed up at Donnie. Her heart ached a little that he didn’t return the sentiment, but she took his hand and let him pull her into his arms. It felt good there. Memories from the beach flashed through her mind. Images of his chiseled body urged her to glide her hands up his arms and around his broad shoulders. She held him tight, wanting to memorize every inch of him and the way it felt to be pressed against him.

“Are you sure you have to leave tomorrow?” he whispered against her ear.

“I wish I didn’t.”

“Then don’t.”

Genie looked up at Donnie. “Leaving here, leaving you, is the last thing I want to do, but I literally can’t afford to stay.” Shaking her head, she added, “I have a business back home that’s not going to run itself.”

“Move it here.”

Genie stopped dancing. “My heart says, yes, yes, yes.” She drew in a deep breath. “But my mind, which is dictated by logic, says, how is that supposed to work?” She shook her head. “I have no business contacts here. How in the world would I get my business off the ground and make it successful enough to afford to live here?”

“You can stay with me.”

Genie went silent for a moment. How did she inquire tastefully about his living arrangements? She hoped he didn’t live with his mother. “Where do you live exactly?”

“Here,” he said cautiously. “At the hotel.” The look on his face said there was more. She stayed quiet, waiting for him to tell her the rest.

She’d heard about large resorts in expensive, out of the way places having “staff quarters” akin to cruise ship quarters for their employees benefit. She could see herself building a life with Donnie, but not in an eight by eight room.